In cricket, there are rivalries, fights, tension, etc., and when the stakes are high, both teams will do anything to win the game. There have been instances where Indian cricketers have aided their opponents in unusual cases where even the other side was surprised. Here in this article, we look at the Top 10 times Indian Cricketers helped their opponents.
1. Mohammad Siraj Helped Cameron Green
During India vs. Australia Test of 2020, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj were batting against Australia A in, which Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green played and bowled a good length delivery to Bumrah, who smashed the ball straight and crashed it on the bowler’s forehead. Green collapsed due to that impact. Mohammad Siraj, concerned, dropped his bat and raced over to Green. Siraj's display of sportsmanship earned him acclaim from all across the cricketing globe.
2. Rahul Dravid Played For Scotland
Some may be surprised to learn that Rahul Dravid briefly represented Scotland in 2003. Scotland was a new team. There were a lot of players in the Scotland team with no experience. The Scotland Cricket Board asked BCCI to send an experienced player to play for their country briefly since Scotland was new to cricket. Dravid, on the advice of former Indian coach John Wright, played for Scotland in the English Domestic League, scoring 600 runs.
3. Sachin Tendulkar Fielded For Pakistan
Yes! Sachin did field for Pakistan but for just a single match. In a 1987 match against Pakistan, then-Pakistani captain Imran Khan was short of fielders since two Pakistani players, Javed Miandad, and Abdul Qadir, went out of the field due to some injury. A 14-year-old Sachin was a ballboy at that time. Imran Khan asked the boy whether he would like to field. Sachin, eager to play in an India-Pakistan Match, said yes and started fielding for the Pakistani Team in 1987.
4. Mandeep Singh Fielded For South Africa
In a practice match between India A and South Africa A, most of the Proteas fielders had to leave the field due to food poisoning. When they came back, one of the players, Eddie Lee, was so sick that he could not field. So, Mandeep Singh chooses to assume the green Proteas shirt and play as Eddie Lee. The commentators and players shared a small chuckle and praised Mandeep Singh for his sportsmanship.
5. MS Dhoni Correcting Bangladesh Field Setup
In the warm-up match between India and Bangladesh, MS Dhoni, in the 40th Over, asked the bowler whether he was sure of his field setup. Dhoni, with his years of experience, noticed that one of the fielders was not in the intended position and asked him to stand at the correct fielding position, something the opposing captain hadn’t noticed. The fielder, on the instructions of Dhoni, went to his intended spot.
6. MS Dhoni Helped Injured Faf du Plessis
This incident happened in the 5th ODI of the India-South Africa ODI series, where South Africa posted a mammoth total of 438, which India failed to chase. In the match, MS Dhoni, Indian Skipper, decides to help in-form batter Faf Du Plessis with his muscle spasms, acting as physio and providing him water. Faf Du Plessis scored 133 runs and went out and retired hurt. This match showed the sportsmanship of MS Dhoni.
7. Virat Kohli Asked Fans To Stop Booing Steve Smith
Steve Smith, suspected of match-fixing and implicated in a ball-tampering incident that resulted in a year-long ban from international cricket, performs in his first match since his suspension was removed. The fans started booing Steve Smith, who was fielding at the boundary, calling him names like ‘cheater’, ‘scammer’, ’sandpaper’ etc. Virat Kohli stepped to Smith’s rescue and asked the Indian supporters to stop booing the Australian Captain and praise him for his resilience. Smith, as a symbol of thanks shook hands with Kohli.
8. Rahul Dravid Helps A Young Younus Khan
Rahul Dravid is known as a gentleman kind of cricketer for a reason. In the early 2000s, Rahul Dravid was a great batter known all across the cricketing world. Younus Khan, a youngster trying to establish himself within the Pakistan batting lineup, went to Rahul Dravid seeking advice and suggestions to improve his batting. Rahul Dravid surprised the youngster, coming to his locker room after a match and talking to him personally. Younus Khan remembers the experience and used the prep talk to mold himself into a great batter. Today he has over 10000 runs in international cricket.
9. Rahul Dravid Teaches Kevin Pietersen To Play Spin
Pietersen, England’s all-time top scorer in ODI in 2008-09, struggled against spin and got out often. In 2008, the English Batter was having an issue with spin and, due to the introduction of the DRS system, he got out more often than not at low scores in crucial matches and grew frustrated inning after inning and finally took time to message Rahul Dravid, and ask him for advice to play spin. Rahul Dravid mailed him back with a response that Pietersen, never expected. Rahul Dravid gave a detailed mail on how to play spinners, including his experiences with spin conditions. Pietersen has put the mail on the first page of his book.
10. MS Dhoni Recalling Ian Bell After Mishap Run Out
In a test match against England in 2011, Dhoni performed a show of sportsmanship as he recalled in-form batter Ian Bell, who was at 138, hit the ball and, convinced it was a boundary, slowly walked onto the crease, only to be run out. Dhoni, realizing the disbelief and awe of Ian Bell, decided to recall him. The incident was seen as a symbol of fair play by Dhoni.
